Swordsmaster Fox-girl

“Halt! This is t—”

“LET ME IN OR DO SOMETHING!”

Esther slammed her head on the guard’s armor. She could feel blood trickling down her forehead, but she didn’t care. This fucker has better move this instant or I’ll k—

“This is an active investigative zone!” A high-ranking guard suddenly got right up to Esther’s face. Jabbing her forehead with her finger, she continued. “Use that tiny brain of yours. If we get any closer, the terrorists will begin killing the children. And even if they wouldn’t, we can’t let you through and give them another hostage!”

With bloodshot eyes, Esther stomped on the ground to let out a bit of her anger. “What is it that they want? Money?”

“Nothing like that. They were protesters. They were simply…too dissatisfied with the mayor’s decision to not turn this town into a city.”

Esther let out a hollow laugh. Going in and beating them up would be faster than waiting for the mayor. And there’s no guarantee that he’ll care. Forming a Warhammer made of Ice in her hands, she smashed it into the guard. 

Before anyone could react, she ran into the school. Nowa, please be safe!

She created a trail of Ice along the dark corridors and slid alongside it. Thanks to her now having a tail, balancing herself was much easier. Every time she encounter a terrorist in the hallway, she quickly smashed them out of her way. As for the ones in the classes, she couldn’t care less. Nowa’s in 6-2. Where is it!?

Esther briefly stopped to look at the school map on the wall. Upon realizing that she’d passed by that class, she hurriedly backtracked.

The door of 6-2 was firmly closed tight. She didn’t know how many terrorists were in there, so she spent a moment recomposing herself and preparing a [Flame Cannon]. Mind, calm. Be prepared for anything. With her head now cooled, she kicked the door open. 

Esther quickly scanned the room, trying to find terrorists. And found them she did. With black clothes and white masks, they were definitely the terrorists. However, she found them lying unconscious on the ground in a very un-terrorist-ish fashion.

She was confused, but she didn’t let her guard down. She scanned the room once more; this time taking view of the children. Instead of the scared and shivering image she’d imaged, they were actually pretty calm, all things considered.

And the calmest of all was a familiar child.

“NOWA!”

Esther dropped her spell and rushed toward the child. She hugged her tightly. Never would she ever let her out of her sight again. “Y-You’re safe!”

Wiping her tears, Esther then asked, “H-How? How are the terrorists…”

Nowa stared at her sister with unblinking eyes. Mana then slowly gathered in her hand as she pointed toward a terrorist who was slowly waking up. “[Sedate]”

So that’s how… Esther had never been more grateful for the fact that she’d taught Nowa how to use magic in her free time. Kissing her forehead, she let Nowa sit on her arm. “Let’s go. It’s dangerous to stay here any further.”

“But friends…”

Esther glanced at the children. They were also staring at her with unblinking eyes, making her feel really guilty for leaving them there. However, she had no other choice. “As long as you’re safe, I don’t care about anyone e—”

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”

Esther reflexively put Nowa behind her and raised her hammer at the intruder—a terrorist who’d just entered the room.

Unlike the goons that she’d defeated, this man was a 3-star. 

I can’t win, that was Esther’s first thought. But maybe, just maybe, she can bluff her way out of this.

“Terrorists, leave. I’m only here to get my sister.”

“Hahaha, you think I’ll really let you go after you knocked out my comrades?”

Esther shook her head mockingly. “Even a rat would know when it’s being spared.”

At this, the terrorist tilted his head in confusion. “Spared? What’s a little girl like you going to do?”

“Simple. Kill you all. I’m a 5-star.”

“Bulls—”

“Not lying. You probably see me as a 1-star. That means my concealment artifact is working.”

The terrorist kept his mouth shut as gears began turning in his head. 

Even Esther could vaguely guess his thought process. If she was a 1-star, she couldn’t possibly beat up that many terrorists without suffering as much as a scratch, he must’ve thought. And although it might be far-fetched to think that she was stronger than him, it was better to be safe than sorry.

However, Esther got something wrong. The terrorist wasn’t backing down that easily.

“H-Haha, fine, let’s say that you’re stronger than me. I’ve contacted my other comrades. One simple shout from me and every single kid in this school will get their throat slit.”

To this, Esther merely chuckled. “See if I care. I only need my sister to be fine.”

There was no falsity in her word, and the terrorist knew it judging by the rumors he’d heard about Esther and her current actions.

“What will you choose? Throw away your life here or let me go?” 

Seeing Esther’s confident and arrogant smirk did nothing to calm the terrorist. In a fit of panic, he reached into his pocket and took out a pitch-black orb the size of a marble. “Eat this!”

He threw the orb into the air. A dark membrane extended from it, and everyone fell into slumber…

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Nowa sat beside her sister, patting her head. She glanced around. Everyone was asleep. In fact, she was sure that everyone inside this building except her had fallen into slumber.

Suddenly, Nowa’s head twitched. Her face turned cold as she glared at a shadow in the corner of the room. “There’s no use hiding, Zero.”

The shadow wobbled. Soon, a demon with long black hair appeared. Flourishing a dagger in his hand, he pointed it at Nowa. “Child, answer my questions. How did you use Demonic magic, and how did you know my name?”

“Is that the way you treat your princess?” Nowa grabbed a shadow beneath her. Breaking it into ragged parts, she threw them at Zero. 

“T-This…” The demon’s face went pale. “Princess Iris?”

“The one and only.”

“B-But how? I thought you were killed by the Swordsmaster!?”

“I don’t know myself.” She shrugged. “What do they call this again, ‘reincarnation’? Anyways, please tell me why the idiotic sister of mine is trying to revive the mind-controlling bastard again?”

Zero kneeled. His voice holding much more reverence than before. “Truthfully, I don’t know. But since you’re here, please come back with me. Princess Dark must be informed of t—”

“No.” Nowa hugged Esther and lowered her eyes at Zero. “I’m staying here.”

Zero could only exclaim in absolute confusion. “She’s the swordsmaster! Did you not know that!?”

“I do. It seems that Dark trusts you enough to tell you that information.”

Suddenly, Zero’s face lit up as if he’d just attained enlightenment. “D-Don’t tell me… Your Highness wants to take revenge on her personally?” He stepped closer to Esther and stomped on her leg. “From what I’ve seen, it seems that the Swordsmaster like your Highness very much. Your plan must be going well.”

Nowa paused for a bit and looked at Esther’s sleeping face. Running a finger through her lips, she sighed. As long as it keeps them off Nee-chan’s back.

“Yes, it’s going exactly as I’ve planned. Now leave, and tell Dark to not harm Esther directly. I shall be the one to bring her to ruins.”

With a courteous bow, Zero disappeared from the room.

Nowa turned her attention toward her sister again. “Nee-chan, don’t worry, I’ll help you. Now, let’s see what kind of nightmare you have to deal with.”

She picked the black orb up from the floor. Nightmare Orb… I can’t believe Dark gave a third-rate terrorist this. What is she even thinking?

Placing the orb on top of Esther’s head, Nowa peered into her nightmares.